Srinagar, July 16, 2025 – The Border Security Force (BSF), known as Seema Praharis, has significantly ramped up its presence along the Amarnath Yatra routes to ensure the safety of pilgrims heading to the holy cave shrine at 3,880 meters in the south Kashmir Himalayas. Deployed at sensitive points across the Pahalgam and Baltal routes, BSF personnel are not only guarding the International Border (IB) but also playing a pivotal role in securing Yatri convoys, guiding devotees, and providing life-saving assistance during the 38-day pilgrimage, which began on July 3 and will conclude on August 9.In response to heightened security concerns following the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam’s Baisaran meadow, where 26 civilians were killed, the BSF has deployed specialized Bomb Disposal Squads (BDS) equipped with advanced explosive detection and neutralization equipment, including remotely operated devices and sniffer dogs. These units conduct round-the-clock surveillance and route clearance operations to neutralize potential threats, ensuring a secure journey for over 2.34 lakh pilgrims who have visited the shrine so far. The BSF’s efforts are part of a multi-tier security grid, with nearly 55,000 personnel from the BSF and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) stationed at key locations along the Yatra routes and rail stations.
Women BSF troops, clad in bulletproof gear and armed with AK rifles, are maintaining vigilant watch along the Pahalgam-Baisaran route, a high-alert area due to past incidents. Undeterred by extreme heat, humidity, and security threats, these Seema Praharis patrol highways, lay ambushes, and monitor critical zones, ensuring the safety of pilgrims. Their presence reflects the BSF’s commitment to a gender-inclusive security framework, with female personnel working shoulder-to-shoulder with their male counterparts to protect devotees.
Beyond traditional security duties, the BSF is providing multifaceted support to pilgrims. Trained paramedics and specialized medical teams are on high alert, offering life-saving medical aid to Yatris facing exhaustion or medical distress during the arduous trek. BSF teams are also guiding pilgrims, ensuring they navigate the challenging terrain safely, particularly along the 48-km Pahalgam route and the steeper 14-km Baltal route. “As devotees climb the heights of the Himalayas, BSF troops walk each step as their silent protectors, ensuring safety with dignity and compassion,” a BSF spokesperson stated.
The BSF’s role extends to the International Border in Jammu, Samba, and Kathua districts, where troops are conducting anti-tunnel exercises and maintaining heightened vigilance to prevent cross-border threats during the Yatra. The force has sealed a 200-km stretch of the IB under Operation Sindoor, a strategic initiative to fortify border security ahead of the pilgrimage. This operation complements the Indian Army’s Operation Shiva 2025, which has deployed over 8,500 troops alongside advanced surveillance technologies like drones, PTZ cameras, and counter-unmanned aerial systems (C-UAS) to secure the Yatra routes and the holy cave.
The Amarnath Yatra 2025 has seen robust security arrangements, including geo-fencing along the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway (NH-44) and Yatra routes, facial recognition systems, and drone surveillance to monitor pilgrim and vehicle movements in real time. These measures, combined with the BSF’s proactive efforts, have instilled confidence among devotees, with many expressing gratitude for the secure environment. “There is no fear as security personnel are deployed along the way. We felt safe, and locals are cooperative,” said a pilgrim from Uttar Pradesh.
With over 2.34 lakh Yatris having completed their pilgrimage peacefully, the BSF’s unwavering commitment to pilgrim safety and border security has made the Amarnath Yatra a testament to spiritual resilience and national unity. The Seema Praharis continue to stand as guardians of both the nation’s borders and the sacred journey to the Amarnath cave, ensuring a safe and spiritually fulfilling experience for all devotees.
